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Save Colby Rugby

1,463 Comments

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Dick Cass
12 years ago

Colby '73 (and believef in club-level sports)

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Daniel Seifert '05
12 years ago

Rugby players & alumni contribute to the Colby community and are some of the most passionate, engaged alumni we have. Please restore this club for the benefit of those interested in playing and our Colby community as a whole.

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Shannon (Emerson) Staley '05
12 years ago

It is incredibly disappointing to me how Colby has handled this. Let's begin the dialogue and figure out a better solution for everyone.

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Brigid Beech
12 years ago

Bates Rugger

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Jamie Smith Houghton, '99
12 years ago

I'm disappointed that the decision seems to have been made without consultation of the wider community. Rugby and Study Abroad defined my Colby experience. Rugby brought together the widest selection of people that I saw of any group, and taught us all how to respect and work with each other. I cannot help but assume that this decision was based on a quick reaction to the recent news about American football injuries. Ruggers do not suffer the same injuries on a regular basis because the first thing we learn is how to tack safely. However, HEAVEN FORFEND that we discuss canceling the football program. I am sad and disgusted.

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Anonymous
12 years ago

Bring Colby rugby back. Unprofessional communication from the administration on this.

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Leo Caouette
12 years ago

Safest contact sport out there. Players are taught to wrap tackle. Player 1986-present. Former coach URI Mens Rugby 1994-1998

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Chris Austin
12 years ago

Why would you take some thing good away from these great kids!

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Robert H. Mandle
12 years ago

As a Bowdoin Rugby Alum (2002), this action is seriously disappointing. The level of comradarie, friendship and loyalty present amongst Rugby Clubs is unmatched in other team sports. Plus, a quick look at some sister schools (Bowdoin) illustrates the true direction that the sport of Rugby is taking.

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Dominic Tracey
12 years ago

Studies have shown the concussion rate of rugby is comparable to basketball.

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Tina Browne
12 years ago

While I went to Bates and loved beating Colby - rugby was one of the best parts of my college years and it would be a disservice to Colby students to end the program!

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Nathan Schultz
12 years ago

University of Maine at Farmington RFC

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Brandon Sparks
12 years ago

Head Coach University of California Women's Rugby

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John Mahoney
12 years ago

Bad idea.

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Grayson Lyles
12 years ago

So what's the real deal? That's the worst excuse for shutting a program down I've ever heard. If you're cancelling rugby because of injury, you better be cancelling football, too.

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Michael AShooh
12 years ago

There is clear evidence that the rates and degree of concussions in rugby is much less than other sports (hockey, Football, lacrosse). This has been studied and clearly documented. Has the administration of Colby cancelled those sports as well?

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Susan L Field
12 years ago

I used to play rugby, though not at Colby. It is a great sport for someone who hasn't been a part of the team sports thing all through high school and wants to experience all that team sports have to offer. There is something unique about the rugby experience, wherever it is played. By shutting down the program at Colby, you'll not only deprive your own students, but also opposing teams who have enjoyed competing against Colby.

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Natalie Armacost
12 years ago

My best friend is on the team and it's been a wonderful community for him and it's unfair to take away this program from all the students who enjoy it.

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Wendy Coombes Hallowell (parent of 2013 grad)
12 years ago

It is disturbing that Colby administration would make this decision. Is it going to eliminate other contact sports? I feel that I could no long support Colby financially. Rugby was a vital part of my daughter's experience. It is evident that the school did not fully support this program during the 4 years she played.

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Dave Meek
12 years ago

I am assuming the football/basketball/soccer programs are being cut also as there are concussion risks associated with those sports also.